Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On November 26, an international scientific conference on “Philosophical Problems of Values and Identity” was held at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of ANAS. The event was dedicated to World Philosophy Day, established by UNESCO.

The event was attended by the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, representative of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Mustafa Shabanov, Director General of the SOTA Scientific Center in the Netherlands, PhD Mehmet Tutunju, a political commentator from Great Britain, PhD Neil Watson, Professor from the University of Tunis, Larusi Mizuri, Dean of Hacettepe University of Türkiye, Professor Dr. Yonja Ildeshin, Professor from Russia’s Noosphere Academy of Social Sciences, Heydar Imanov as well as employees of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology. 

The President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, opened the conference with an introductory speech, congratulating the employees of the Institute on the occasion of World Philosophy Day. According to the academician this significant day, established by UNESCO, is widely celebrated not only around the world but also in Azerbaijan, particularly at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, where the country’s primary philosophical research is conducted.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli touched upon the emergence, history, development, purpose, and tasks of the science of philosophy.

The President of ANAS emphasized that the Azerbaijani school of philosophy, with its historical traditions, conducted research only on materialist philosophical thought during the Soviet period, by the demand of the ideology of the time. He noted that after our country gained independence, the science of philosophy has also successfully developed and other philosophical currents were systematically studied and explored in our country, and the challenges of the time require us to define our national philosophy, which is close to idealistic philosophy.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli mentioned that during an interview with local television channels on January 10, 2024, President Ilham Aliyev set tasks for intellectuals and scientists regarding future national idea of Azerbaijan in the new historical stage. Following this, three extensive discussions were held at ANAS with the participation of scientists from the humanities and social sciences divisions. Our scientists concluded that Azerbaijan’s future national idea should be “A stronger Azerbaijan, Turkic unity, digital development, and strategic partnership”.

He also mentioned that, in line with the important tasks set by President Ilham Aliyev regarding the Turkic world, a Department of History of Philosophical Thought and Contemporary Philosophy of Turkic Peoples was established at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, through internal resources.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also highly praised the recent research conducted by the employees of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology on topics such as “National Identity”, “The Concept of National Philosophy” and “Sufi Phenomenology”. 

At the end of his speech, the head of ANAS once again congratulated the staff of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology on the occasion of this significant day and wished them success in their future activities.

Mustafa Shabanov, a representative of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO gave information about the history of World Philosophy Day and said that the primary purpose of establishing this significant day was to highlight the important role philosophy plays in societies and to promote a culture of philosophical thought among people. He underlined the close cooperation between the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology and the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO on national and international projects. The academician also spoke about the role of science in preserving our cultural heritage and national identity.

PhD Mehmet Tutunju, the Director General of the SOTA Scientific Center in the Netherlands, talked about his visits to our country at the end of the last century and the works he did in the Netherlands to convey the truth of Azerbaijan to the world during the First Garabagh War. He mentioned that in the early 1990s, they established the “Turkistan and Azerbaijan Research Center” in the Netherlands, where they expressed their open protest against the Armenian aggression, collected financial aid for our compatriots displaced from their lands. He emphasized that they welcomed Azerbaijan’s historic victory in its just war with great joy and pride. 

At the event, Professor PhD Nil Watson, Professor Dr. Yonja Ildesh, Doctor of History, Eynulla Madatli, Professor Larusi Mizuri, Corresponding Member of ANAS Konul Bunyadzade, Professor Heydar Imanov, Professor Abdulhasan Abbasov , Professor Rena Mirzazade, Dr.  Fuzuli Gurbanov, Associate Professors Ziba Agayeva, Zohra Aliyeva and Gunel Malikli delivered their reports on the topic.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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